For many people across the globe, clean energy solutions are neither affordable nor accessible, even with the drop in the cost of renewable energy. And for many countries, there are barriers to deploying clean energy fast enough to change their emissions trajectories.

We are in a window of opportunity in which significant energy investments will be required. Over the coming 15 years, energy is expected to account for nearly 30 percent of total core infrastructure investment, around U.S. $25 trillion. These investments can be shaped to deliver clean, affordable and reliable energy to all people.

Shifting to a low-carbon, inclusive energy future requires (1) accelerating the pace of renewable energy deployment; (2) increasing energy productivity, so that energy use diverges from economic growth; and (3) addressing the gap that is emerging between those who have clean energy and those who lack basic access.

WRI’s Global Energy Program helps build clean energy markets and change institutions. We start with the consumer in mind—what energy services are needed? Which business models are sustainable? How can regulatory frameworks scale solutions? We take public commitments as a starting point and push forward policies, projects and programs that accelerate and deliver change on the ground.

We work with large energy buyers, entrepreneurs, utilities, policy planners, development-oriented institutions and urban leaders to shift energy system investments to clean technologies that support prosperous, healthy communities and protect the climate and ecosystems that sustain us. For highlights of our work to transform global energy systems, subscribe to our newsletter, WRI Energy Insights, and follow us on Twitter @WRIEnergy.

Top Energy Outcomes

What's a top outcome?

Top outcomes are WRI's biggest success stories. They occur when our analysis, solutions, or partnerships result in significant change in the world.

World Resources Institute (WRI) announced a $2.3 million grant from the IKEA Foundation to bring clean electricity to a combined 1 million people in India and East Africa. The funding will help integrate affordable, reliable and clean electricity for all – an inaccessibility for more than 1.1 billion people worldwide.

A reflection on the state of climate action in the United States and internationally. The discussion will feature remarks by Todd Stern, former U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change at the U.S. Department of State, and include leaders in finance, government and international relations.

Power from solar and wind requires zero or little water, unlike coal, gas and other forms of thermal power. Renewable energy can therefore be particularly attractive to water-stressed countries looking to meet their increasing electricity demands without producing emissions.